Trinity Repertory Company Artistic Director Curt Columbus and Mixed Magic Theatre Artistic Director Jonathan Pitts-Wiley announced performances of “When Mahalia Sings” at the Lederer Theater Center, Home of Trinity Repertory Company on April 3.

“When Mahalia Sings,” written and directed by Pitts-Wiley, with musical direction by Kim Morrison Pitts-Wiley, played to standing room audiences last year and was the centerpiece of the Mahalia Jackson 100th Birthday celebration held at Veterans Memorial Auditorium last October.

The show features songs made popular by "The World's Greatest Gospel Singer,” as it chronicles her life from abused child in New Orleans to international superstardom. It is also the story of America moving through upheaval and change and the determination of a gifted artist to stay true to her convictions while being a part of that change.

The show features well-known Providence based gospel singers Barbara Bryant and Lydia Cooper as Mahalia at different times in her life, and popular jazz/blues/guitarist/singer Kim Trusty. The cast also includes Amos Hamrick Jr. as Louis Armstrong, Jason Quinn as gospel and jazz icons Thomas A. Dorsey and Duke Ellington along with Kim Pitts-Wiley as Mahalia's Aunt Duke and Billie Holiday. Daniel Osinaga is the bartender Dub.

When Mahalia Sings follows Mahalia Jackson on a journey in Louis Armstrong's train club car from her native New Orleans to Chicago. The trip takes several detours as she encounters other musical figures and Martin Luther King, and events in America that would influence her life and the world.

Mixed Magic Theatre is lovated at 1005 Main St., Unit 115, Pawtucket. For more information visitwww.mmtri.com.